Joe Tacopino of New York Post reports:
Robert Plant and the other living founding members of legendary hard-rock band Led Zeppelin were about to ink an $800 million contract with Virgin Atlantic billionaire Richard Branson to play a reunion tour, but the iconic band’s singer ripped the contract to shreds in the final moments, a report said.
Founding members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones signed on immediately when the flamboyant investor offered the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the staggering amount to perform just 35 tour dates in three locations including London, Berlin and New Jersey, according to the UK’s Mirror.
But Branson was left stunned when the 66-year-old Plant tore the agreement to pieces right in front of the concert promoters, the newspaper said.
“There was an enormous sense of shock,” a source told the Mirror. “He said no and ripped up the paperwork he had been given.”
Guitarist Page and bassist Jones were all set to perform along with drummer Jason Bonham, who has filled in for his late father, John Bonham, in the past.
They gave their cranky frontman two days to think about the historic reunion, and he turned into a real heartbreaker for fans who have dreamed of another reunion tour.
“It was a no-brainer for them, but Robert asked for 48 hours to think about it,” the source said. “They have tried to talk him ’round, but there is no chance. His mind is made up and that’s that.”
And it’s not likely that the band can hire a replacement for Plant’s unique voice.
“There is no way they can go ahead without him,” the source said.
Branson, a tremendous fan of the ’70s rock band, reportedly pulled out all the stops to get the “The Song Remains the Same” rockers back on stage together.
The founder of Virgin Group was planning on renaming one of his jumbo jets “The Starship” and having the craft ferry the stars around to their gigs.
He was even going to have the staircase of the jet renamed the Stairway to Heaven after the band’s landmark hit.
“Even his money was not enough to get Plant to sign up,” the source said, adding that the tycoon was very upset by the singer’s diss.
The band last played together, with Jason Bonham filling in on drums, during a tribute concert at London’s O2 arena in 2007.
The band has been notoriously cranky about whether it would ever reunite, with Plant even calling one reporter a “schmuck” during a press conference in 2012.
source: pagesix.com
69 Responses
I applaud him if this report is true. The 02 arena show was the last hurrah. He doesn’t need the money, nor do the others. If it ever does happen the only ones able to afford it are the same rich people who can afford to go to the muscle car auctions on tv and pay whatever they want, for anything they want. the little guys are squeezed out again. I will watch the dvd from o2 and be happy…
Plant can do what he want, he’s obviously earned it. But he jumped the shark for me when he became a Honeydripper way back in the day…some of the absolute worst music ever.
Obviously Jon Bonham was the driving force behind Zeppelin, and when he died there was no fire in the other members to keep it going.
There is no entertainer with more integrity than Robert Plant. People criticize the guy out of their own selfish disappointment. Perhaps strutting around a stage singing, “squeeze my lemon ’til the juice runs down my leg” holds little to no appeal for a guy in his late 60s. This is punctuated by the fact that he is still creating fresh new music that is coming from his heart all these years later. True artists never rest on their laurels, but continue to push themselves and to grow. I think that’s where Plant is coming from and I, for one, applaud him for it. (As a sidebar: I believe he could do 35 dates with quality on par with the 2007 show. I don’t believe he doubts his own ability. Okay, he can’t sing like he did in 1972, but neither can anyone else, nor could anyone else, ever. This is why true rock fans need to abide by the man’s decision and realize it is one of reverence for something truly special and a lack of desire to attempt to replicate the glory of his youth, but to revel in the here and now. Bravo, Mr. Plant! You’re a breath of fresh air in this “Anything For A Buck” world of today and more a hero to me now than ever.)
I don’t see why page, jones and Bonham jr cant just go out and tour and have fun on their own.
You don’t need the hype of led zep with plant. It’s just too much and Robert obviously doesn’t want it anymore.
Bring on some guest singers and just enjoy the music of led led zeppelin. I’d rather hear jimmy, John and Jason play music. Robert plant doesn’t have the register he once had and sings differently.
Make it afforable so more people can go and enjoy an evening of music.
The band members are approaching 70 years old, and it’s about 5 years too late to worry about a full on led zep reunion.
Good for you Robert!! Let Led Zeppelin be remembered as it was, Plant, Page, Bonham and Jones, all young and leaving em wanting more!! Thank you for not being the Stones or Aerosmith, milking the public for money so we can all watch the monkeys grow old. LZ was a time and a moment, that moment lives on in the recordings.
Well done Robert!!